”In the autumn of year 1991 I began to study Bujinkan Dojo martial arts (Ninjutsu and Bujutsu) under the leadership of Lubos Pokorny, founder of Bujinkan Czech Dojo and the first student of this art from our republic. Sadly there is only few of us who would remember „the beginnings“ of Bujinkan in Bohemia, those were interesting times. From the year 1993 I had helped to spread this art as one of instructors. This fact helped me to look at the study of martial arts from the other side as well. One realizes after that, that it is far from being simple. Taikai in the year 1994 in Germany was my first opportunity to see Hatsumi Sensei's training.

From this „meeting“ I tried to attend these seminars around Europe regularly. From the year 1998, when I had the opportunity to travel along with other students from Bohemia to Japan for the first time, I try to regularly go to train to the birthplace of this wonderful art. On these occasions I visit mostly trainings of Hatsumi Sensei, Someya Sensei, Nagato Sensei and Ishizuka Sensei, but also Noguchi Sensei, Oguri Sensei, Senno Sensei and Shiraishi Sensei. Simply as many trainings of these great teachers as it is possible to manage.

At the Daikomyo-sai in the year 2002 I succesfully underwent 5th Dan test (Sakki test) directly under Hatsumi Sensei. It was a very deep experience for me. So I became part of Shidoshi-kai, community of instructors/teachers of Bujinkan Dojo.

In the year 2007 were opened Bujinkan Dojo trainings as a part of CTU (Czech Technical University in Prague) PE lessons, that are completely filled. Thus I have an opportunity to share this art with other people. In January 2008 I decided with my friends to found Bujinkan Dojo Prague as another school whose aim is to help to spread this martial art in the Czech republic. From the time I began to try, as good as I can, help with spreading Bujinkan Bugei (Bujinkan tradition), I prepared several training abstracts and articles in order to help those interested get better orientation in their training.” Pavel Slavík, Shidoshi

Bujinkan Dojo Prague led by Shidoshi Pavel Slavik works under the (is part of) worldwide organisation Bujinkan Dojo with Soke Masaaki Hatsumi as Grandmaster. Within Czech republic our Dojo aims to cooperate with all Dojo in Czech Republic. Besides we visit events and seminars in other European countries and naturally many students go directly to Japan to study Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.The style of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu comes from nine martial art schools, where three of them are the schools of Ninjutsu (Togakure ryu, Kumogakure ryu and the third Gyokushin ryu) and other Bujutsu. The system of martial arts of Bujinkan (Bujinkan Bugei) respects and maintain old traditions valid since the very beginning of Ninjutsu. There are 36 disciplines, where the first 18 are of Japanese Samurai and the second 18 special disciplines of techniques for Ninja – the warrior.

The schools which are part of Bujinkan Dojo:

• Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu (戸隠流忍法体術)
• Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu (玉虎流骨指術)
• Koto Ryu Koppojutsu (虎倒流骨法術)
• Kukishinden Ryu Happo Hikenjutsu (九鬼神伝流八法秘剣術)
• Takagi Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu (高木揚心流柔体術)
• Shindenfudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu (神伝不動流打拳体術)
• Kumogakure Ryu Ninpo (雲隠流忍法)
• Gyokushin Ryu Ninpo (玉心流忍法)
• Gikan Ryu Koppojutsu (義鑑流骨法術)

Since 1988 Hatsumi's teaching has focused on a particular theme each year. This typically means that a specific Ryu, or a certain set of techniques from specific Ryu will be taught. Hatsumi announces the years theme, or focus, each year at the Daikomyosai. Depending on what years a student has studied in Japan, they may find that their focus reflects the themes or schools taught during their time.

This is one reason that there are often noticeable differences in techniques from different teachers inside the Bujinkan. Although Ninpo Taijutsu is an overall theme of the Bujinkan, 2008 marks the first time that a Ninpo Taijutsu Ryu was the focus of the year. However, prior to founding the Bujinkan organization and teaching the nine Ryu collectively (with particular yearly focus), Hatsumi awarded his students rank certificates in Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu.

Theme of 2008 – Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu and Ninja Biken
Theme of 2007 – Kukishin Ryu
Theme of 2006 – Shindenfudo Ryu (Power of Shizen)
Theme of 2005 – Gyokko-Ryu Kosshijutsu Happobiken (Bo and Tachi)
Theme of 2004 – Daishou Jutaijutsu (Roppo Kuji no Biken)
Theme of 2003 – Juppo Sessho
Theme of 2002 – Jutaijutsu (Takagi Yoshin Ryu)
Theme of 2001 – Kosshijutsu (Gyokko Ryu)
Theme of 2000 – Koppojutsu (Koto Ryu)
Theme of 1999 – Kukishinden Ryu
Theme of 1998 – Shindenfudo Ryu
Theme of 1997 – Jojutsu
Theme of 1996 – Bokken
Theme of 1995 – Naginata
Theme of 1994 – Yari
Theme of 1993 – Rokushaku bojutsu
Theme of 1992 – Taijutsu Power
Theme of 1991 – Sword and Jutte
Theme of 1990 – Hanbo
Theme of 1989 – Taijutsu and Weapons
Theme of 1988 – Taijutsu

Ninjutsu

Ninjutsu, as a method of protection against various kinds of danger evolves many fighting skills and techniques. Ninjas, considered themselves to be simple executors of political, religious or military proceedings demanding from them to act in all possible situations. Their skills and knowledge comprised various techniques of espionage, infiltration in various environment, methods of enemy confusion, escape of hopeless situation and some others. The main target was to survive and fulfil the task than the general victory.

The eighteen levels of training were as follows:

- Seishin teki kyoyo (精神的教養) – spiritual refinement,
- Taijutsu (体術) – unarmed combat,
- Ken jutsu (剣術) – ninja sword,
- Bo jutsu (棒術) – stick and staff fighting,
- Shuriken jutsu (手裏剣術) – throwing blades,
- Yari jutsu (槍術) – spear fighting,
- Naginata jutsu (長刀術) – halberd fighting,
- Kusari gama (鎖鎌術) – chain and sickle weapon,
- Kayaku jutsu (火薬術)- fire and explosives,
- Henso jutsu (変装術) – disguise and impersonation,
- Shinobi iri (忍び入り) – stealth and entering methods,
- Ba jutsu (馬術) – horsemanship,
- Sui ren (水練) – water training,
- Bo ryaku (謀略) – strategy,
- Cho ho (諜報) – espionage,
- Inton jutsu (隠遁術) – escape and concealment,
- Ten mon (天文) – meteorology
- Chi mon (地文) – geography

Thougt not listed as a separate item in the eighteen qualities above, a crucial part of the Togakure ryu ninja´s training wasn the application of the kyojitsu tenkan ho philosophy. A strategy for winning that relies on the presentation of truth and falsehood in ways that permit the antagonist to be deceived, kyojitsu tenkan forms the basic approach for all ninjutsu activities and thinking.

Historical books concerning Ninjutsu

Bansenshukai, Ninpinen and Shoninky are three propably most important historical books treating Ninjutsu. Here you can find some basic information about them.

Bujinkan Dojo Prague

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